by Linda Straker
- Criminal Code states age of sexual consent in Grenada is 16 years
- Bill submitted to Parliament to reduce age of civil responsibility to 16 years
- 16-year-olds will be able to consent to any sexual or reproductive health treatment without seeking permission
The Dickon Mitchell Administration has submitted a Bill for approval in Parliament that will reduce the age of civil responsibility from 18 to 16 years, so that minors will not have to seek permission from parents or guardians when they require sexual and reproductive health treatment.
The Bill is listed on the Order Paper for the 24 July 2025 sitting of the Lower House or House of Representatives. Called the Age of Civil Legal Responsibility (Amendment) Act, 2025, the main objective of the Bill is to insert a definition for Minister and an amendment to Chapter 4A of the 2011 Age of Civil Legal Responsibility Act.
The insertion in Section 4A is entitled “Consent to Sexual and Reproductive Health Treatment by Minors” and states: 4A. (1) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a minor who has attained the age of 16 years shall have the legal capacity to consent to any sexual or reproductive health treatment, including diagnostic procedures, and his or her consent shall be as effective as if that minor were of full age.
It further explains in sub-section 2 that, “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister responsible for health, if he or she is satisfied that there is good cause to do so, by Order published in the Gazette, provide that a minor who has attained the age of 12 years but not yet attained the age of 16 years shall have the legal capacity to consent any sexual or reproductive health treatment specified in that Order, including diagnostic procedures, and his or her consent shall be as effective as if that minor were of full age.”
The bill states that “An Order under subsection (2) shall specify —
- the minimum age of minors to which the Order applies
- the specific sexual or reproductive health treatment or treatments to which the Order applies; and
- any conditions or restrictions to be imposed under the Order
(4) An Order under subsection (2) shall be subject to affirmative resolution.
(5) Where a minor has, by virtue of subsection (1) or an Order made pursuant to subsection (2), given an effective consent to any sexual or reproductive health treatment, it shall not be necessary to obtain any consent for such treatment from his or her parent or guardian.
Subsection 6 of the new section states that “A person shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability solely by reason of having administered sexual or reproductive health treatment to a minor, with his or her effective consent, in accordance with this section.”
The Bill further explains that “sexual and reproductive health treatment” means any medical, surgical or counselling service or treatment provided to support the sexual and reproductive health of an individual, including —
- access to contraceptive methods;
- diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS;
- prenatal and postnatal care and other services related to pregnancy and childbirth
- management of menstrual and gynaecological health conditions; and
- sexual health education, risk assessment and counselling”
The age of sexual consent in Grenada, according to the criminal code, is 16, and the minister in that legislation is the Minister for Legal Affairs.
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This is a dangerous proposal. At 12 years old, children are still in the early stages of cognitive, emotional and psychological development. They do not possess the maturity or mental capacity to navigate the manipulative tactics of sexual predators, nor can they fully comprehend the consequences of sexual activity. This proposal risks normalizing coercion, enabling grooming and exposing children to physical and psychological harm. It opens the door to situations where children may be pressured into taking contraceptives or undergoing abortions without parental knowledge or support. Our laws should defend childhood and rather than protecting our youth, such a law would strip away their safeguards and leave them vulnerable to exploitation.
This legislation appears to be of high priority on the Government’s legislative agenda. I take it that the Government has held discourse with all stakeholders, including parents and their children and that these consultations evidence that a great number of children have been turned away from accessing medical help for their sexual health etc. I guess the statistics and findings are readily available to the public?.No doubt the Government as a responsible one will ensure that the help requested is on-going and given free of charge ,including mediation and hospital care as most sixteen year olds are not financially independent. So who needs parents?? Soon we will have the baby bottling services and do away with them, the parents, entirely.
Good day why does it appear that no one has any interest in this proposed bill.